The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) today condemned the arrest of Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Its chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari and secretary-general Denison Jayasooria said this was in breach of the undertaking given by the executive when Sosma was enacted, that it will only be used against terrorists.

“Maria is a human rights defender and not a terrorist. Maria and Bersih are merely seeking reform of the current electoral system in Malaysia to ensure free, clean and fair elections.

“This cannot be detrimental to, or undermining parliamentary democracy. On the contrary, it strengthens parliamentary democracy,” they said in a statement today.